Gerbil substrate

[Chickens r the best!]

Hi, I was just wondering what substrate is best for gerbils?
I have heard about mud, sand and lots of different things but I wondered what would be the best? Does anybody know the soil mix substrate is?
Many thanks!

 

[chicmom]

Never used anything remotely like soil for gerbils. We use a fluffy bedding sold in packages. Sometimes it's different colors. They can make tunnels in it and do very well with it. Or we use pine shavings. Pine keeps the smell down a bit. No cedar shavings as they are too harsh.

 

[Chickens r the best!]

Ok, thanks for your help!
What is the bedding you use called?
Thanks again!

 

[chicmom]

I can't think of it.......I'll get back to you later after I look at the package....

 

[Chickens r the best!]

Ok, no worries!
Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I use aspen bedding bought at Wal-Mart.

 

[Chickens r the best!]

Thanks for your help!
Can gerbils make burrows in it easily?

 

[res]

My daughter had gerbils for about 5 years as a child. I had a wire "condo" that attached to a 10-gallon aquarium. I would fill the aquarium with the CareFresh paper bedding described above. The gerbils would make tunnels and nests in it, and I could keep their water and food in the condo, where it stayed clean and didn't make the bedding wet.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for your help!
Can gerbils make burrows in it easily?

Mine move it back and forth in the tank, a 20 long, they seem to enjoy rearranging it. I don't think any substrate will allow actual tunnels, but the shavings allow them to dig. I did for a while put PVC elbows in their tank for tunnels but they pretty much ate those up. After seeing that I would not keep them in a plastic environment.

 

[Chickens r the best!]

Hi, thanks for all your advice! It’s very helpful!